C-RAD announces connectivity between its Catalyst surface tracking technology and Varian’s TrueBeam®
C-RAD has released a new interface that links the C-RAD Catalyst™ system to TrueBeam® linear accelerators from Varian Medical Systems for treating cancer with image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The interface supports advanced treatment techniques. With this release, C-RAD has become a leading provider of optical surface tracking solutions that can connect to linear accelerators from the two main system suppliers.
Varian’s TrueBeam system incorporates a motion management interface (MMI) that allows communication from third-party devices such as C-RAD’s Catalyst. This makes it possible to use the C-RAD system, which monitors motion, to trigger the radiation beam during treatment on a TrueBeam system, for example, to synchronize dose delivery with the patient’s respiratory cycle. With automatic patient synchronization between the Catalyst and the treatment system, a seamless integration into the existing clinical workflow is offered. C-RAD’s Patient Positioning software allows connecting to Varian’s remote couch control for accurate re-positioning of the patient before and during treatment. C-RAD’s Catalyst surface tracking solutions have now been validated as compatible with the latest TrueBeam 2.5 linear accelerator.
The first sites equipped with the new C-RAD interface to a TrueBeam system are St. Vincentus Hospital in Karlsruhe, Germany and Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden. Clinicians there are completing a training program and anticipate that they will begin clinical use of the Catalyst thereafter. C-RAD is prepared to upgrade all sites where the interface installation is pending. Twenty customer upgrades are expected to be carried out by the end of this year, mainly in the US and Europe.
For stereotactic treatments, precision during beam delivery is essential to securing a positive clinical outcome. Customers can utilize a surface tracking solution, such as Catalyst HD, to enhance precision by monitoring the patient during treatment. In case of unexpected patient motion, Catalyst would help to ensure that the radiation beam is interrupted through the Varian MMI if the tumor is out of position. Especially in North America, C-RAD sees a strong demand from customers for this application. The interface between Catalyst and TrueBeam technology will strengthen C-RAD’s offering for those customers.
A similar interface has already been released for communication between C-RAD systems and Elekta systems. This means that C-RAD is the leading provider of optical surface tracking solutions that can connect to linear accelerators from the two main system suppliers.
“This release was an important part in the puzzle to achieve full compatibility with all high-end treatment machines. The ability to offer TrueBeam compatibility is a big step forward for C-RAD,” says Tim Thurn, CEO of C-RAD. “The subset of customers who have chosen the TrueBeam and who intend to conduct stereotactic treatments is large – especially in the significant US market. With the Catalyst HD, C-RAD is offering a high-end surface tracking solution for those customers.”
About C-RAD
C-RAD develops innovative solutions for use in advanced radiation therapy. The C-RAD group offers products and solutions for patient positioning, tumor localization and radiation treatment systems. End users are radiation therapy clinics worldwide. All product development is conducted in three fully owned subsidiaries: C-RAD Positioning AB, C-RAD Imaging AB and C-RAD Innovation AB, all of which are located in Uppsala, Sweden. Employees currently number 39. C-RAD’s business originates from research and development at Karolinska Institutet in Solna, Sweden. Sales of the company’s first product, the C-RAD SentinelTM, started in 2007. Cooperation agreements have been signed with Elekta (Sweden), Varian (USA) and IBA (Belgium). C-RAD is represented by distributors specialized in radiation therapy on major markets. C-RAD has established three companies for direct sales: C-RAD Inc. in the US, C-RAD GmbH in Germany and C-RAD WOFE in China. Cyrpa International SPRL, a Franco-Belgian laser company, is a wholly owned subsidiary whose operations are being integrated. C-RAD AB is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm.
For more information on C-RAD, please visit www.c-rad.com.
For further information:
Tim Thurn, CEO C-RAD AB, Phone +46-18-666930, Email investors@c-rad.com
The above information is price-sensitive and must therefore be disclosed under the Securities Market Act (2007:528).